FY 2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program
Grant overview describing the purpose and scope of the FY 2026 solicitation
The FY 2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program supports research and innovation aligned with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science mission areas. This program funds scientific discovery, technology advancement, and research infrastructure across fields such as advanced computing, fusion energy, high-energy physics, chemical sciences, and biological and environmental research. The solicitation continues DOE’s long-term commitment to strengthening national research capacity through financial assistance to universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and industry partners.
Past recipients and a historical look at organizations previously funded
The Office of Science Financial Assistance Program has historically funded a wide range of research institutions, national labs, and universities that contribute to DOE's mission. The table below outlines representative awardee types based on prior funding patterns.
| Organization | Year awarded | Amount awarded | Program purpose (summary) | Key reasons they received funding | Funding structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Sciences Inc. | 2024 (award record shown in USAspending) | $1,800,000 (obligated) | Research & development under DOE Office of Science programs | Technical R&D capability and proposal alignment with SC priorities | Standard DOE grant (Assistance listing 81.049) |
| All Power Labs, Inc. | 2024 (award record) | $200,000 | Project supported under the Office of Science Financial Assistance (assistance listing 81.049) | Small-scale R&D / lab development consistent with program goals | DOE financial assistance grant. |
| Natel Energy Holdings, Inc. | 2023–2024 (award shown in USAspending) | (amount shown on USAspending entry) | Energy-related R&D supported by Office of Science award funding | Innovative energy tech aligned to DOE priorities | Award under CFDA 81.049 (DOE Office of Science). |
| Research Foundation for the State (example: SUNY Research Foundation) | Multiple years (various award records) | varies (see USAspending/PAMS for exact amounts) | University-based research projects aligned to the Office of Science program areas | Strong academic research capacity, workforce training components | Multi-year grant awards or project-based assistance. |
| Applied Nanotech, Inc. | 2024 (award record) | (amount shown on USAspending entry) | Applied materials / nanotech R&D consistent with DOE SC research goals | Specialized technical capability and R&D proposal fit | Award under the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program. |
| Technology Assessment & Transfer, Inc. | 2024 (award record) | (amount shown on USAspending entry) | Technology assessment and development in energy science | Demonstrated technical approach, partnership capability | DOE assistance award (81.049). |
Application process outlining the steps required to apply
Applicants must follow the DOE Office of Science submission procedures outlined in the official solicitation.
Step-by-step process:
- Review the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) provided by the Office of Science.
- Register or confirm registration on Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and SAM.gov.
- Prepare the application package, including:
- Project narrative
- Research objectives
- Budget and justification
- Biographical sketches
- Facilities and resources documentation
- Data management plan
- Submit the complete application through Grants.gov before the stated deadline.
- Track submission status, corrections, and validation through eRA Commons.
Application URL:
FY 2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.
Eligibility criteria explaining who can apply for funding
Eligible applicants typically include:
- Accredited U.S. universities and colleges
- Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs)
- National laboratories
- Nonprofit research organizations
- For-profit organizations conducting scientific or energy-related research
- Multi-institution collaborations supporting DOE mission areas
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Scientific merit and alignment with DOE research priorities
- Adequate research facilities and qualified personnel
- Capability to perform proposed activities and meet reporting requirements
- Compliance with DOE regulations and federal grant policies
Timeline indicating when applicants can expect updates
Applicants can expect the following sequence after submitting proposals:
- Application Review : Mid-2026
- Programmatic and Merit Review : Summer 2026
- Notifications of Selection : Typically 6–8 weeks after review
- Earliest Start Date : Late 2026 or early FY 2027 (depending on project type)
GridPolaris connection describing how the platform supports funded research programs
GridPolaris provides an integrated technology framework that strengthens planning, execution, and reporting for research programs funded through the Office of Science.
Key capabilities of GridPolaris relevant to DOE-funded research and nonprofit-partnered projects include:
- Program management and coordination: The platform centralizes volunteer/participant tracking, mentoring, and engagement workflows, which can help organize outreach or community-based components of research projects (e.g., educational outreach, public engagement, volunteer fieldwork) in a structured manner.
- Data and impact tracking for outreach or social-impact components: Customizable reporting and analytics tools enable tracking of metrics on program participation, volunteer hours, and outcomes — particularly beneficial if the research project involves community impact, workforce development, or public-facing deliverables.
- Automation of administrative tasks: By automating scheduling, communication, data collection, and reporting, GridPolaris can reduce administrative burden on project staff, allowing researchers to focus on scientific tasks rather than logistics.
- Volunteer, donor, and stakeholder engagement management: For projects that involve stakeholder involvement, public outreach, or volunteer participation (e.g., field studies, citizen science, educational programs), GridPolaris offers modules to manage stakeholder relationships, communications, and engagement history.
- Scalability and centralized data governance: The platform supports a managed, cloud-based architecture that enables data storage, access control, and unified management of program documentation, helping institutions meet compliance and reporting needs across multiple collaborators or project sites.
These capabilities help institutions maintain compliance, reduce administrative effort, and strengthen their ability to manage complex DOE-funded research projects efficiently.